June 13, 2009
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Purdue senior Kara Patterson and junior Adetayo Adesanya added to the Boilermakers' 2009 All-America totals on Friday, placing in their respective events at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, hosted by the University of Arkansas at John McDonnell Field. Patterson was the national runner-up in the women's javelin throw, while Adesanya grabbed fifth in the men's high jump.
Patterson earns national honors for the second straight season, taking fifth in 2008 and second this year with a mark of 57.96 meters (190-02). She took the lead early, marking 57.47 meters (188-06) on her second throw and held that lead through the third round, before relinquishing it to eventual NCAA Champion Rachel Yurkovich of Oregon. The championship throw marked 59.62 meters (195-07).
"I'm disappointed with second place, but happy with what I've done for Purdue," said Patterson. "It's been great being able to come out here and wear my school colors on the national stage and score points for our team. I'm really excited that this is just another step in my career and can't wait to start competing professionally."
Patterson won't have to wait long to start her pro career as she'll head to Eugene, Ore., in two weeks for the U.S.A. Championships, and looks to continue to the 2009 World Championships in Toronto this summer.
Adesanya had a career day for the Old Gold and Black, clearing not one, but two personal-record bars to earn four team points. His final mark of 2.20 meters (7-02.50) is good for fifth all-time at Purdue outdoors, displacing former Boilermakers Curt Ramsey (1982) and Noel Ruebel (1977) on the list. Starting the competition at 2.10 meters (6-10.75), Adesanya was clean over the first three bars, locking up the first national honor of his career.
"This was the highest starting height I've ever had to compete at," said Adesanya. "I knew if I could clear the first couple on my first try I could score, and I just managed to go out there and do it."
After two misses at 2.20 meters, Adesanya had to refocus and change up his approach, silencing the crowd rather than asking for his usual tempo clap. The alteration paid off as he soared over the bar with room to spare and became the first Boilermaker male to earn All-America honors since 2005. Kansas State's Scott Sellers won the competition with a winning mark of 2.26 meters (7-05.00).
This year marks the first time in six years the Boilermakers have earned at least three All-America awards in the same outdoor national championships. In 2003, Kenneth Baxter (200 meter dash), Shaun Guice (high jump) and Nedzad Mulabegovic (shot put) all earned national honors for Purdue.
Purdue sophomore Josh Hembrough was the Boilermakers' final competitor of the day, but was unable to advance in the men's 110-meter hurdle semifinals. Hembrough was seventh in his heat, crossing the line in 13.89 and finishing 12th overall in the competition.
After three days of competition, the Purdue women are tied for 11th place with 13 team points, while the men are tied for 30th with four points. Both would be the Boilermakers' highest national finish in recent history as the Purdue men were as high as 26th in 2000, while the women tied for 21st in 2007.